College Student Volunteer Service

NorthBay Healthcare offers college students who are interested in a health care career the opportunity to work in a hospital setting. College Student Volunteers are different from Guild Volunteers and require additional screening and requirements to enroll.

Additionally, because of certain rules, regulations, and policies, College Student Volunteers at NorthBay do not perform many of the same services that are performed by volunteers at an educational institution, such as U.C. Davis Medical Center.

It is very important that interested applicants to the College Student Volunteer Service read this entire page before applying to ensure that NorthBay's College Student Volunteer Service is a good fit for them.

If you have already read this page and are ready to get started, please begin by visiting How to Apply.

What are the requirements?

• 100 Hours / 3 Hours Per Week: NorthBay requires a firm commitment of 100 volunteer hours per year, and a minimum of three (3) hours per week.
• Evening & Weekends Only : Student volunteers are only permitted to volunteer on evenings and weekends.
• Basic Volunteer Requirements : All Volunteers, including College Student Volunteers, are required to meet the requirements as listed on this page.
• Dress Code : All Volunteers are required to adhere to NorthBay's dress code. This means NO acrylic, silk wrap or other false nails and professional dress at all times.
• Required Immunizations (can be provided by NorthBay or provided by appropriate verification):
• Proof of Two-Step TB Test (within one year)
• Blood Titer for Rubella and Rubiola OR proof of immunization (within two years)
• Medical Clearance
• Can be completed at NorthBay or by a physician.
• Volunteer Deposit :

Unfortunately, due to the current economic times, we have been forced to require a deposit from our Volunteers. Upon the completion of 100 hours in one year, your entire deposit will be returned to you except the Guild Membership dues of $10. There are a few ways you can reduce the amount of the deposit by providing some of the required documentation and uniform pieces (included in the table above under the heading "Items You May Provide and Deduct").

What services will I perform at NorthBay?
You will offer extra TLC and kindness to our patients and their families. We raise money for the hospital and we support our community.

We expect a commitment of at least 100 hours per year and a minimum of six (6) months service on a regular schedule. Unfortunately, due to the length of time required to train and clear volunteers, we cannot accept "Summer Only" applicants.

We do three adult student orientations each year and can take up to 20 volunteers. To see the dates for an upcoming Orientation, please click here.

Customarily, students who plan to pursue a medical career find it more satisfying to work in the Emergency Department or on the Hospital Floor. In these positions, you can have as much patient contact as you choose.

NOTE: Due to the Fair Standards Labor Act, the duties of our volunteers are somewhat restricted. We cannot have a volunteer working side by side doing the same job as a paid employee. Volunteers will not assist in medical treatment in any way.

To get a sense of the duties performed by volunteers in either the Emergency Department or the Hospital Floor, please see the lists below.

What services will I NOT perform at NorthBay?

• Volunteers do not do any hands-on care.
• Volunteers cannot perform the same job as a paid employee. The Fair Standards Labor Act (FSLA) does not allow it. Examples of paid employee positions are:
• Front desk
• Medical assistant
• Phlebotomist
• Volunteers may not use any medical skills or assist in a medical procedure in any way. For example, nurses may not perform jobs although they are qualified to do so.
• Volunteers do not have a priority for any employment positions that may become available. Unfortunately, volunteering with NorthBay does not "get your foot in the door" for a paid position.
• The College Student Volunteer Program is not considered an internship, externship, or work experience.

If you are looking for a more hands-on experience, you would be better served volunteering at an educational institution (such as U.C. Davis Medical Center).

If you are looking for employment with NorthBay Healthcare, please check our job opportunities on a regular basis.

ER Duties

• Assist staff with non-medical tasks as needed
• Transport patients by wheelchair
• Transfer lab work in properly marked Biohazard plastic bags
• Run errands to other departments (i.e., Lab, Pharmacy, Radiology, Medical Records, etc.)
• Comfort waiting patients and families
• Provide refreshments to waiting families as appropriate
• Keep waiting area tidy and organized, and call for Environmental Services when appropriate
• Cut and roll bias
• Restock supplies in vacant rooms
• Make patient charts, transfer packets and patient education hand-outs
• Fax medical records
• Assist staff with clerical tasks as requested
• Remove used, but non-soiled, sheets from gurneys and replace with clean linens
• If the used linens are soiled, they are to be removed by staff
• If there is a question as to whether or not linens are soiled, consult staff
• Gloves are to be worn when handling any linens
• Provide general assistance to visitors and patients
• Greet and give directions to visitors

Floor Duties

• Assist staff with non-medical tasks as needed
• Transport patients by wheelchair
• Transfer lab work in properly market Biohazard plastic bags
• Run errands to other departments (i.e., Lab, Pharmacy, Radiology, Medical Records, etc.)
• Comfort waiting patients and families
• Provide refreshments to waiting families as appropriate
• Keep waiting area tidy and organized, and call for Environmental Services when appropriate
• Assist staff with clerical tasks as requested
• Deliver newspapers, mail and flowers to patients
• Brew and provide complimentary coffee to visitors in all visitor lounges (coffee provided to patients with nursing approval only)
• Respond to overhead pages and perform requested tasks
• Provide general assistance to visitors and patients
• Greet and give directions to visitors
• Keep newspapers / magazines tidy in all waiting areas
• PM Shift delivers nutrition snacks when requested